Deleted posts should preserve the sequential numbering

[jim hardy]

If i refer to an earlier post by number, that number is subject to change when one in between gets deleted.

Should deleted posts perhaps rather than disappear be replaced by a place holder or 'this post intentionally blank" ?

Something like a sequential file, you don't delete sectors in the middle.

 

[dextercioby]

"Post deleted by a moderator" should spell out the truth of what happened for the general reader, just like "last edited by a moderator" already exists. So I support your proposal to Greg.

 

[Evo]

If i refer to an earlier post by number, that number is subject to change when one in between gets deleted.

Should deleted posts perhaps rather than disappear be replaced by a place holder or 'this post intentionally blank" ?

Something like a sequential file, you don't delete sectors in the middle.

When a post is "deleted" by a mentor, it's not actually deleted, it's just that regular members can no longer see it, it's still there and can be restored. So it may not be possible to do what you're asking, but @Greg Bernhardt may know the answer.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

As Evo said the post is essentially hidden. We do sometimes restore a deleted (hidden) post so the numbering needs to remain in tact.

 

[Vanadium 50]

that number is subject to change when one in between gets deleted.

Is it? Can you point to a thread where that has happened?

 

[berkeman]

Is it? Can you point to a thread where that has happened?

I'm pretty sure I've seen that happen. I'll test it now by deleting your post...

EDIT -- Yep, when I deleted your post, my post went to #5. Undeleting your post made this post of mine go back to #6.

 

[berkeman]

@Greg Bernhardt -- I'd support an RFE to the software developers to have an option to keep the post numbering consistent when posts are deleted. Not all forums may want it, but I think it would be a good idea as an option for forum owners to decide. Referring to posts by number must be common in many forum communities. Otherwise, what is the point of numbering the posts at all?

 

[jim hardy]

Is it? Can you point to a thread where that has happened?

Hmmm am i mistaken ? I was sure i'd seen it
but now that I'm challenged i'll have to dig one up.

Wait a second --- How sure are you guys that when moderation occurs , numbering stays the same ?

Yes, Vanadium my deleted posts in
Breaking Down POTUS ...
disappeared
yet numbering is sequential though there should be numbers missing. I don't see any missing. Numbers apparently get reshuffled among posts so there's no discontinuities..

old jimEDiT i see it's been tested. Thanks guys.

 

[jim hardy]

As Evo said the post is essentially hidden. We do sometimes restore a deleted (hidden) post so the numbering needs to remain in tact.

looks like they don't stay intact.

 

[mfb]

The numbers change if posts are deleted. Above my post, Vanadium made a post and deleted it. As you can see, it doesn't count.

It can be confusing, but non-sequential post numbers can be confusing as well. This would also break the postnumber/pagenumber relation.

 

[jim hardy]

The numbers change if posts are deleted. Above my post, Vanadium made a post and deleted it. As you can see, it doesn't count.

It can be confusing, but non-sequential post numbers can be confusing as well. This would also break the postnumber/pagenumber relation.

How then does one refer to another post if its number is subject to change?
That's why they changed freeway exit numbering from sequential to mile marker.

If instead of disappearing they were replaced by a placeholder it'd be win-win.

 

[mfb]

How then does one refer to another post if its number is subject to change?

Posts in the middle of threads are rarely deleted, and if it is just a single post then you are only off by one, which is not hard to figure out. I don't say it is ideal but I don't think it is a big deal.

 

[Ibix]

You can click on a post number to get a URL to link to it. For example, I might refer to Jim's last post.

 

[jim hardy]

Posts in the middle of threads are rarely deleted,

except in pf lounge political threads

You can click on a post number to get a URL to link to it. For example, I might refer to Jim's last post.

if that's what it takes... seems analogous to referring to highway exits by gps coordinates instead of mile marker though.

 

[Mark44]

When a post is "deleted" by a mentor, it's not actually deleted, it's just that regular members can no longer see it, it's still there and can be restored.

When we delete a post, ordinarily it is just hidden. We also have the ability to vaporize a post, permanently deleting it. AFAIK, once deleted this way, it can't be restored.

Posts in the middle of threads are rarely deleted

But it does happen.

 

[Evo]

When we delete a post, ordinarily it is just hidden. We also have the ability to vaporize a post, permanently deleting it. AFAIK, once deleted this way, it can't be restored.

True, but we don't permanently delete a post unless it's spam, at least we're not supposed to.

If a thread has a lot of sudden activity, it's not unlikely that an older post will need to be deleted. This is why we ask people to report posts that are questionable so that they can be looked at in a timely manner. This is the first time I am aware of that anyone has said that a deleted post caused them trouble in referring to another post in a thread, why not just quote the post you wish to refer to? That is how people usually refer to a post and would solve your problem.

 

[jim hardy]

why not just quote the post you wish to refer to? That is how people usually refer to a post and would solve your problem.

That'll work. just seems counterintuitive intuitive that a post number is a fluid thing.
It's helpful to have some kind of milepost by which one can find old posts. Hopefully permalinks don't change.

 

[Evo]

That'll work. just seems counterintuitive intuitive that a post number is a fluid thing.
It's helpful to have some kind of milepost by which one can find old posts. Hopefully permalinks don't change.

There are a lot of things that are counterintuitive and have us pulling our hair out at times. Greg always goes to bat for us with the software developers, but they just don't seem to get our needs. Always feel free to ask, things won't change if you don't ask, of course things might not change no matter how many times people ask. Greg doesn't own the software and he can only ask most of the time. Things that we all feel are just common sense are dismissed by the developers. Believe me , it's not that we won't do it, we don't have the ability to do it.

 

[jim hardy]

Greg doesn't own the software and he can only ask most of the time. Things that we all feel are just common sense are dismissed by the developers. Believe me , it's not that we won't do it, we don't have the ability to do it.

Thanks Evo

i'm an old hardware guy but i took my share of programming courses.
Programmers are different (from me anyway) i think they're more verbal-brain oriented and outgoing. Before class they're working crossword puzzles and anagrams. Their conversation sparkled .
We hardware guys were more introverted, read tech manuals and struggled for words to describe oscilloscope setups or car repairs. Honest, i felt like Cliff Robertson in Charly.

old jim

 

[S.G. Janssens]

We also have the ability to vaporize a post

"Vaporize"?

The abilities of the moderators never cease to impress me.

 

[mfb]

That'll work. just seems counterintuitive intuitive that a post number is a fluid thing.
It's helpful to have some kind of milepost by which one can find old posts. Hopefully permalinks don't change.

Links do not change, as they are based on the postid (5590586 for your post), which does not change.